DPM PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR MISS DEAF PAGEANT

From left to right: Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs David Ngcamphalala, DPM Paul Dlamini, her Royal Highness Princess Sikhanyiso, Miss Deaf Africa Samantha Hector and a Imbali Foundation member. The back line includes some of the members of

EZULWINI – Deputy Prime Minister Paul Dlamini has promised to fully support the Miss Deaf Africa beauty pageant.Princess Sikhanyiso is the patron of the pageant.

Dlamini confirmed Government’s support towards the pageant during a meeting held at Happy Valley Hotel on Saturday night. The Princess, Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala, the reigning Miss Deaf Africa Samantha Hector and the founder of the pageant Maria Sivertsen were also part of the meeting. The pageant will be hosted by the country this year.

He went on to reveal that the law regarding people living with disabilities in the country, which includes the deaf community, was almost complete.“As the Swazi Government, we fully support the initiative by the Princess hence we are currently finalising the law for the disabled Swazi citizens which will go a long way towards improving their welfare,” he said.

Dlamini further pointed out that he has full trust and confidence that the Princess will pull off a successful event.“We request that you (the Princess) immediately resume your duties as soon as possible as we are fully behind you,” he said.

Dlamini then highlighted that hosting the pageant will act as a good platform for tourism as Swaziland will use its major instrument, which is its human resources, although it would be on a small scale. He also thanked His Majesty King Mswati III for making sure that the nation does not lose its identity through the maintenance of culture.

Miss Deaf Pageant Director Nokuthula Mbhatha said it was historic that the winner of the finals will be the crowned by a true princess who was born with a crown.“It has been a long journey and hence I would love to thank all stakeholders concerned for believing in my abilities in making this dream come true,” she said.